What you need to know about Azure integration challenges and how to solve them
Starting the Azure journey is not a simple task, even for those already experienced in IT or enterprise integration. While the Azure components are relatively easy to handle, the abundance of options can make it difficult to understand their intricacies. This article uncovers the challenges organizations encounter when opting for Azure integration and offers solutions.
Azure Security Practices
- Security is essential to any business, particularly when migrating to the cloud. As organizations shift their on-premises environments to cloud-based, there is a heightened awareness of security. In addition, the perception that Microsoft Servers may be less secure than their servers increases the focus on security protocols. As a result, a lot of time is dedicated to securing components such as ExpressRoute, APIs, LogicApps, and Databases.
However, security is still overlooked when administrator privileges are granted to everyone. Personal accounts are utilized as Azure account owners, similar to those in on-premises setups. When businesses are still in their developmental stage or experimenting with Azure, they may be tempted to rely solely on their accounts and grant admin access to anyone interested. This happens because enterprises are uncertain what rights to assign for specific purposes. Consequently, when the trial integration works out, it goes into production with your account as the owner and half the company as admin users. This can give rise to significant risks and lead to potential mishaps.
Data Storage Decisions
- Microsoft-oriented enterprises often rely on SQL Server for data storage when operating on-premises. However, in Azure, you have vast storage options available. But the lack of familiarity with these options results in choosing what is most familiar. For many, this choice would be Azure SQL Database. Azure SQL is a relational database-as-a-service (DBaaS) built on the latest stable version of Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine.
Nevertheless, this may not always be the best choice, as Azure offers several other storage alternatives, each designed for specific purposes and costs. Therefore, when storage is under consideration, remember what you want to store and whether or not you require the data to be available at all times. This practice can cut down additional expenses and save money.
Misconceptions About Administration And Monitoring
There is often a misconception that administration and monitoring in Azure will require less time and effort compared to the on-premises environment. However, utilizing Azure components to handle the tasks may demand more time and effort. In addition, Azure’s monitoring and administration capabilities are scattered throughout various components and services, requiring time and knowledge to navigate effectively. In addition, failure to choose High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) options provided by Azure can lead to potential pitfalls.
HA and DR are distinct concepts driven by two separate metrics:
- Recovery point objective (RPO), which determines the tolerance for data loss
- Recovery time objective (RTO), which indicates the tolerance for downtime
Even with high availability, it is still crucial to have a robust disaster recovery plan. High availability alone is not enough to ensure that your data will not be corrupted at some point. Thus, making a reliable recovery point critical in data corruption or loss. While migrating applications to Azure offers substantial benefits, successful implementation requires careful planning and expertise. Therefore, collaboration with knowledgeable professionals is crucial to leverage Azure’s components effectively.
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